Animal-trap.



T. A. DAVIS.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 25. 1905,

PATENTED APR. 1'7, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 818,857. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

T. .A. DAVIS.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.25, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

nuentoz unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFIC THOMAS ALBERT DAVIS, OF FINDLAY,ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM W. HARBERT, OF FINDLAY,ILLINOIS.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 1'7, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ALBERT DAVIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Findlay, in the county of Shelby and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Animal-Traps, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention pertains to improvements in animal-traps.

It has for its object to provide for effectively entrapping anddestroying mice, rats, skunks, minks, and the like and to accomplishthis end in a simple and cheap manner and it therefore consists ofcertain structural features, substantially as hereinafter fullydisclosed, and particularly pointed out by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one applicationthereof for use in connection with an ordinary glass jar containing inpractice water as the destroying agent. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionproduced in a line passing through the point of application with thejar. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the trapproper. Fig. 4 is a like section'showing the position the operativeparts assume when the animal is entrapped.

In carrying out my invention I provide a receptacle or chamber 1,preferably of general rectangular outline or otherwise and havingsecured thereto'at right angles a chute or passage forming adjunct orextension 2, itself having secured thereto a preferably cylindricvertical chamber or annex 3, the bottom 3 of which is hinged or pivotedand weighted, as at 3*, to form a self-acting tilting platform. Theannex or cylinder 3, closed at the top and having its upper portionpreferably of a greater diameter than its lower portion and providedwith a guarded opening 3 for the admission of light thereto to attractthe entrapped animal, has an annular screw-threaded or fluted rim orflange 3, offset from said lower portion and adapted to be screwed uponthe upper beaded end or neck of a glass jar, which may be of the Masontype or otherwise and which is supplied with a suitable quantity ofwater for the purposes of this invention, as aforesaid. The passage-wayor chute 2 between the chambers or receptacle l and the cylinder 3 issuitably covered or closed from above, referably by a plate or closure 2suitably ed or secured to these parts, the same being preferably adaptedor improvised to provide for the admission to the thus closed orcanopied chute 2 of additional light for the purpose aforesaid. Withinsaid chute, whose bottom is inclined upward and outward toward thecylinder 3, is arranged a gravity-actuated slatted guard or flap 5,oppositely inclined to said bottom and hinged or pivoted at its upperend at a oint above the passage-way 3 between the 0 amber 1 and saidchute, while its lower end rests upon said chute-bottom, near the outeror upper end thereof, to prevent the return of the entrapped animal, asis apparent.

Within the receptacle or chamber 1 is suitably arranged a pivotedplatform or plate 6, upon which the animal steps upon entering theformer, the entrance-opening 1 of said receptacle being preferablyformed in the forward end plate thereof, which is inclined inward andupward to induce the ready stepping of the animal upon said platform, aswill be apparent. Said platform, formed with a de pression or hollow 6at its forward end for conveniently receiving the bait, extends only ashort distance forward, and 7 is a second pivoted or tilting platformwith its rear end underlying the forward end of the aforesaid platformand its forward end reaching to a point just beyond the distant side ofthe passage-way or opening 3 in the receptacle or chamber 1 to permitthe captured animal to pass from the platform through said opening.

The extreme forward end of said platform is guarded by a series of rodssuitably fixed within said chamber or receptacle-contiguous to said endof platform, the forward or corresponding end of the receptacle beingopen for the admission of light for obvious reasons. It will be notedthat the free or forward end of the platform 6 is initially retained inhorizontal position by causing it to rest upon the pivot-rod of theplatform 7. Consequently as the animal travels thereon and until itsteps upon the latter platform said platform 6 will still occupy suchposition, as is necessary.

Instantly, however, the animal leaves the latform 6 and steps upon theplatform 7 the atter will be tilted by the weight of the animal thereonand the rear end thereof elevate the forward end of the platform 6, andthus retain it in front of the entrance-opening 1 of the rece tacle 1,thereby cutting off the retreat of the animal or its escape in thatdirection, frightening it forward, whence it will seek to escape throughthe opening 3 and pass on through the chute 2. The animal will thusraise and pass under the gravity guard or flap 5, and its return beingfurther locked it will be further frightened forward, when it willplunge down through the cylinder-chamber 3, whose pivoted orgravityactuated bottom Will open under the weight of the animal and letit drop into the Water in the jar, resulting in the drowning of theanimal.

It is herein observed that by thus disposing of the animal the trap ismaintained always in a cleanly or proper sanitary condition and freefrom any smell or odor which would arise if the animal were held orretained therein until released or removed, as is obvious; also, that bysuitably securing the trap in place in the required locality it may beused to capture skunks, minks, or like animals, as is apparent.

I claim 1. A trap of the character described, comprising a receptacleequipped with interacting tilting platforms, a chamber closed at itsupper end and povided with an offset annular flange or extension, meansforming a passage-way between said receptacle and said chamber, and aliquid-containing vessel, said flange having a screw-threaded surfacefor effective connection with said vessel.

2. A trap of the character described, comprising a receptacle equippedWith interacting tilting platforms, a chamber closed at its upper endand provided with an offset annular flange, a passage-Way between saidreceptacle and chamber, constituted of a covered chute having an upwardand outward inclined bottom and a gravity-actuated flap or guardarranged therein, and a liquid-containing vessel, said annular flangehaving a screw-threaded surface for effective connection with saidvessel.

3. A trap of the character described, comprising a receptacle equippedwith interacting pivoted platforms, a chamber closed at its upper endand provided with an offset annular flange or extension, a covered chuteforming a passa e-way between said receptacle and said 0 amber andhaving an upward and outward inclined bottom and a gravity-actuated flapor guard, and a liquidcontaining vessel equipped with a gravityactuatedvalve or bottom, said annular flange having a screw-threaded surface foreffective connection with said vessel.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

THOMAS ALBERT DAVIS.

Witnesses:

G. W. ELMORE, W. W. HARBERT.

